DFW CHAPTER - FIAT CLUB AMERICA: OCTOBER 2025 NEWSLETTER
Our club polo shirts have arrived. If you ordered one, I will have them at the European Car Show this weekend and at the go kart event later in October. If you can’t get to either of them, let me know, and I can work out a delivery. If you didn’t order and decide you want one, too, we will see if we get enough orders in a couple of months. If we submit less than a $300 order, they add a $65 fee, driving up the cost per shirt.
NEXT CLUB ACTIVITY:
October 25th: Go Kart Day at Dallas Karting Complex
5025 FM 1565, Caddo Mills, TX
12:30PM: Meet up in parking lot
1:00PM: Move inside to purchase race tickets
COST:
$30/10 minute race.
If you purchase 2 races, it is $55. If you purchase 3 races, it is $80.
$5 1-time kart maintenance fee (Good for entire day, no matter how many times you race)
$4 head sock fee IF you use their helmets. Does not apply if you bring your own helmet.
YOU MUST BE 14 OR OLDER and 55”+ TO PARTICIPATE IN ADULT RACES
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NOTE: If we have 10 racers commit to “Going”, we can get a group rate. $30/race and the helmet fee is included. 2 races for 10 people becomes $50/2 races. But we have to pay ahead for this, so if you want to go, please say “Going” to the event on Facebook and send me an email: dfwfiatclubfca@gmail.com
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Dallas Karting Complex
Features two .75 mile long professional quality go karts tracks.
Also has Axe Throwing on site.
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THE WINNER’S CIRCLE:
Sep 6th: Italian CarFest, Nash Farm, Grapevine, TX
People’s Choice Award: Vinny (and Dean) Minchillo, 1959 Fiat 500L
1st Place, Vintage Fiat: Vinny (and Dean) Minchillo, 1959 Fiat 500L
2nd Place, Modern Fiat: Jason and Nicole Kosmicki, Abarth 500.
Sep 13th: Greater Ennis Chamber of Commerce Patriot Day Car Show, Ennis, TX
Class Award, 2008 and Newer Cars: Tazilon and Jennifer Brenner, 2018 Fiat 124 Spider Classica
Sep 10th: Café Del Rio Car Show, Mesquite, TX
Top 20: Tazilon Brenner, 2018 Fiat 124 Spider Classica
Top 20: Jennifer Brenner, 2017 Abarth 124 Spider
Top 20: Abigail Menz, 2017 124 Spider Classica
If you place in a car show, autocross, track event, etc, (or get put on a calendar!) email me at dfwfiatclubfca@gmail.com and let me know so we can include you in The Winner’s Circle!
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STELLANTIS NEWS:
1. After several years of decline, Stellantis market share grew in the US and in Europe during August. In Europe, the biggest gains in market share came in Italy, France, and Spain. In the US, Jeep was the primary driver of gains. At the same time, inventory overages have decreased. Stellantis now has a 63 day supply of vehicles compared to 91 days on the same date last year.
2. However, while market share is growing, in Europe new car sales are way down. This has forced Stellantis to halt or slow production at multiple plants.
3. Chief Financial Officer, Doug Ostermann announced his resignation for personal reasons. Joao Laranjo takes over as CFO. Laranjo has worked in Finance roles with FCA since 2009.
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BRAND NEWS:
Alfa Romeo:
1. If you own a 2017-2019 Giulia or a 2018-2019 Stelvio, be on the lookout for a fuel pump recall. Vehicles with both the 2.0L turbo and 2.9 V6 twin turbo are affected. According to the NHTSA, “The failure mode involves interruption of fuel flow, resulting in fuel starvation and an unexpected loss of motive power, typically with little to no advance warning,” They note this can happen even at speeds over 25 mph. You can contact Alfa Romeo using the recall reference code: 93C. However, as of today, a fix is not yet available.
2. Alfa Romeo just announced an extremely limited edition Intensa Special Series for its Giulia, Stelvio and Tonale. It features special trim and wheels and is only being sold in Australia. By extremely limited, I mean extremely limited: there will only be 30 Giulias, 10 Stelvios, and 10 Tonales in this special series trim.
Fiat:
1. A heavily disguised Fiat Panda Fastback was spotted conducting road tests in Europe. The Panda Fastback is expected to be formally announced in several months and is expected to have gas, hybrid, and full EV options.
2. On the strange side of the news, Fiat managed to sell 2 500L and 31 500X in North America last quarter.
Lancia:
Want to go rallying? The Lancia Ypsilon Rallye2 HF Integrale is here! Purpose-built for the FIA WRC2 Championship series, the rally-ready car features a large rear wing, wide fenders, roof scoop, a vented hood and a 1.6L Turbo. You can buy one for a mere $220,000-300,000US.
Maserati:
1. Driving the number 1 Maserati GT2, Phillippe Prette secured the AM GT2 European Series Championship in Valencia Spain. There is one race left in the series for 2025.
2. The successor to the MC20, the MCPURA, made its debut last week at the Turin Auto Show. Along with the MCPURA, the Maserati Merak, Ghibli SS, and 3500 GT were also on display.
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NATIONAL FIAT CLUB AMERICA NEWS:
According to FCA Secretary Tim Beeble, the number of nominations for the Board of Directors and Officers exactly matched the number of positions open, so all nominees will automatically be seated. No election will take place. Expect a letter from FCA soon announcing the new officers and Board members. Our new leaders will be seated with the Board meeting on the second Tuesday of October.
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DFW CHAPTER NEWS:
1. If you plan on attending the Karting event on October 25th, PLEASE click on GOING on the FB event AND send me an email at: dfwfiatclubfca@gmail.com. If we get 10 people going, we can get a discount on our costs. In order to get the discount, I MUST reserve the group rate ahead of time. So, if you plan on attending, let me know and help us lower your costs.
2. If there is interest (I know Frank already said he wants 1), we will do a second polo shirt order in a month or 2. As stated, we need to purchase 10+ shirts in order to avoid an extra $65 fee.
October is Italian Heritage Month. Hopefully, you take full advantage of our normally best weather of the year during October, celebrate your car’s Italian heritage, and
GET OUT AND DRIVE!
Michael “Tazilon” Brenner, President
Fiat Club America – DFW Chapter
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SPONSORS:
Park Cities Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat – We are still getting a 15% discount on parts, labor, and service. Unlike before (where you had to ask for a specific service advisor), you can now let any service advisor know you are in the club to receive the discount.
Drop Top Tees - An online Spreadshirt shop with T-shirts, and V-necks for 124 Spiders, Abarth 124s, Classic 124s, Fiat 500s, X1/9s, Giulias, and some especially for the DFW Fiat Club! https://droptoptees.myspreadshop.com/
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----2025 CALENDAR----
OCTOBER
25TH: Go Kart Racing at the Dallas Karting Complex
5025 FM 1565, North Caddo Mills, TX
12:30PM: Meet up in parking lot
1:00PM: Go race!
Cost :
$5.00 Maintenance fee (good for all race sessions that day)
$4.00 head sock if you use their helmets
$30 per 10 minute race session, $50 for 2 races, $80 for 3 races.
NOTE:
If we have 10+ people commit, we can get a package deal that includes the extra fees for $30/person. We could also bump up to 2 races for $50/person.
Axe throwing sessions are also available to purchase on site.
Please RSVP to dfwfiatclubfca@gmail.com if interested. Unlike most of our events, we need a hard number of attendees to get the package deals.
NOVEMBER
15TH: Fort Richardson Living History Day
Join us and take a step back in history to life on the Texas frontier.
Ft Richardson State Park will have re-enactors giving visitors a glimpse of live in a north Texas fort during the Civil War and Indian War Periods.
We will start the day off meeting up at the Buc-ees near Texas Motor Speedway, then caravan to Yesterday's 50s Diner in Bridgeport, TX for lunch.
Lunch menu: https://yesterdays50sdiner.com/menu
After lunch, we will cruise to Ft Richardson.
9:30AM: Meet up at Buc-ees. 15901 N Freeway, Ft Worth, TX
10:00AM: Short driver's meeting.
10:10AM: Depart for Yesterday's. (38.2 miles, ~ 40 minutes)
10:50AM: Arrive Yesterday's 50s Diner 305 US-380 Bridgeport, TX
11:00AM: Move inside for lunch.
12:00PM: Depart for Ft Richardson (25.8 miles, ~ 28 minutes)
12:30PM: Arrive Ft Richardson
NOTE: Some of you coming from north of the metroplex may wish to meet us at Yesterday's. Try to be there before 11AM. Our goal is to move inside and eat as soon as Yesterday's opens.
Ft Richardson Day Use Pass:
$4.00 per adult (13 y/o and up)
Free - under 13 y/o
If you already have a season pass for Texas state parks, admission is free.
The Living History Day events are FREE with a paid Day Use Pass.
DECEMBER
13TH?: Annual Toy Run With Ferrari Club America – DFW Chapter
The Ferrari Club usually doesn’t release a lot of info on this event til the end of this month or November. Stay tuned for details as they emerge.
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Tazilon Brenner
DFW Chapter Leader
FCA Board of Directors